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Multifocal Adenocarcinoma of the lung, continual recurrences
We have multifocal adenocarcinoma of the lung. @linda10 and @sakota.- Please join me in this discussion.
For a short explanation of this tongue twister. Briefly, Multifocal Adenocarcinoma (MAC) of the lung is a clinical entity of multiple synchronous (less than 6 months) or metachronous (more than 6 months), often ground-glass opacities (GGO) on CT scan, typically indolent-behaving cancers. There is a scarce amt of clinical data to guide treatment decisions.
This came from http://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JCO.2017.35.15_suppl.e20041.
This means that more than one potential cancerous lesion, mostly ground glass, shows up at a time. For instance I had 3 cancerous lesions 10 years ago in my left lung and in the same area. They were all different sizes. They grow at different rates.
Multifocal adenocarcinoma is a very complex cancer because the medical profession doesn't know if the ground glass lesions are the primary cancer or small metastases of another primary cancer. They don't even know where they start..
Multifocal Adenocarcinoma has sub types and it's management is based on whether it's indolent or very virulent.
These are very simplistic explanations. Even doctors are confused by it and it's only been within the last twenty years that they have separated it from a Bronchioloalveolar Carcinoma (BAC).
The constant recurrences are the buggers. Not only do we have to constantly face lots of CT scans but when lung cells change, which they often do, we are in terror of another virulent cancer. I presently have several ground glass lesions. And I have had many that have disappeared. It's enough to drive you nuts and PTSD is exacerbated by the frequency of these devils.
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Hello to all! Just back from the Mayo and I’m stable! Such a wonderful word.I’ve officially graduated to 6 months until my next scan. Hope all is well with everyone.
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3 ReactionsHi Linda- Yayayayay! You should feel much relieved and 6 months will feel like a holiday!
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2 Reactions@merry Yes! It’s been a while since I’ve gone 6 months in between scans. Feeling pretty happy
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1 ReactionI have several nodules but only one with ground glass opacity. Surgery on Tuesday hopefully just wedge resection.
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2 ReactionsGood Morning @texasgal121! Best wishes on your surgery. Is this your first surgery for multifocal?
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1 Reaction@texasgal121- We will all be thinking of you and wish you the best! Please let us know how things go!
Good luck today. I have every faith that you will do just fine!
@texasgal121- Good morning. How are you doing? I'm checking in to see how you have fared post-op and if there are any questions that I can help answer.
The nodule was malignant, so dr removed lower left lobe. Also tested lymph nodes but NO involvement, so I am now cancer free! Just got home yesterday from 2 weeks in hospital. Removing the tube in my lung was no picnic! Still waking up in the night needing pain meds. Thank you for checking on me!
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2 Reactions@texasgal121 - I'm so happy for you that there wasn't any nodule involvement. I haven't had any either although some are inflamed. And this is fine with me as long as they don't change!
I'm with you on chest tubes. My first lobectomy was a horror show because it was done by an intern who just pulled them out, didn't hold my skin, or tell me to. He just pulled. He told me to exhale. When my doctor came he was surprised that not all the tubes had been removed so he had to do it himself. YIKES! The second time I was at a different hospital, Mass General in Boston. They have nurses who are trained to remove tubes. One had me doing some breathing exercises that she had me do with her as she was pressing down on my side ribs and the other pulled the tubes. No PAIN!
You were in the hospital for 2 weeks? Were there complications?